CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicagoans would be protected from retaliation from employers for taking time off to get the COVID-19 vaccine under an ordinance that won City Council committee approval.
Workers would not only be shielded from any form of retaliation, but they’d also be paid for the time off to get vaccinated for up to four hours per dose.
This broadens another ordinance passed early in the pandemic that protects employees from retaliation COVID-related absences.
"I think it is the bare minimum for public health and for workers' rights. Getting this vaccine is critically important in order for us to beat this pandemic, so we have to make sure workers have the ability to get their 'Fauci ouchie,'" said Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa.
“I was hearing on the news today about all of the variants — in Brazil, in the U.K., in South Africa. And so the sooner that we can get more people vaccinated, the sooner we can ensure that we’re taking steps to protect the health of the entire world."
Employers could not require employees to use paid sick time.
Violators would be fined $1,000 to $5,000.
The updated COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance was passed unanimously by the Committee on Workforce Development and has been advanced to the full City Council.
Related
